A trip to the Mountains

So I am going to try and blog more often now, leaving things till the end makes me leave out too much. So from now on will try and write more frequently.

Happenings of last week had led me to realize that I needed to train myself, my mind, to further knowledge. There in laid a predicament, in order to do this, solitude was a must, the kind I could not attain in a town setting. I remembered from my wandering to babbage that there was a large wooded mountain a half days walk from the outskirts of town. This was a place of serenity, a perfect place to clear my mind and focus. There was one other thing though, Orchid. With all that has been going on I could not very well leave her at home, lone, all week. There was not a safe aspect to that. I approached her about it Sunday morning, wondering if she would like to go on a trip to the mountains for a few days. She of course was thrilled at the idea yet at the same time apprehensive. She wanted to stay around to try and deal with what is going on at home immediately. We both happened to focus on a corner of the bedroom at the same time, where we store our weapons. There laid my bow and sword, as well as a few knives. The one that caught our eyes how ever, were a pair of daggers that Orchid had come across a couple of months prior, and fell in love with. We both knew it was time she learnt to defend herself better, and she asked me to teach her as I was about to ask her if she would like to come with me to learn. It would seem we both thought it a good idea that she learnt to protect herself f need be. That day I set out to acquire the provisions for this journey, a tent, food, as well as a bit of first aid, if it was needed. That night while I was out, Orchid had a visit, one that only reaffirmed our need to train.

The next morning Orchid sent a letter to beq, brief and very vague. We wanted her to know we were gone, but where and why, that was pertinent that she did not know. We left our home, with our provisions, weapons, and only our clothes on our backs. Orchid found a old dress she had, that if it got tattered, it would be fine, and I wore my attire that I had worn when I came to babbage. Aye, it is winter, and it would be cold with a shirt not on my back, but I realized that fire bending is truly the manipulation of heat, not just fire. In this I have figured that I can keep myself warm from the inside without the need for cover, Orchid not so lucky, she even brought a cape to wrap around herself. We walked for hours, much of which was up steep and jagged terrain; the determination to reach our point was the first part of our training. We reached a plateau on the mountain side, snow covered and wooded. We quickly set up a tent, but as soon as we had done that we set off to training. I needed to gauge how much ability to protect herself she had. We agreed that while we both were there that we would not hold it against each other if we did strike each other; in fact, I encouraged her to hit me. I told her that we were going to fight right then and there, though I would move considerably slower than normal, though I would not pull my strikes, if they were to hit her, they would. There were two points to this, I wanted to see her abilities at the present, but as well, I wanted her to hit me, the biggest thing I wanted her to do by the time we left was for her to hit me without holding back in a fight, where I was not holding back on my speed, though power yes. Though I was moving slow I landed a few blows on her, and she did manage to get a slight shot at my side, though she had held back much. That is what I told her she needed to work on, as well as keeping her guard up always, as my fist pressed into her stomach. That is where our training began. ((Now I will not recount ever occurrence, every strike, that would become boring, I will simply introduce exercises and how they helped/ played out)).

I told her that the most important part of fighting, above all else is the mind. You have to be prepared to strike anyone, despite the feeling or regret for hitting another. That fear of striking someone must be overcome and replaced with the ability to strike when necessary. We discussed this for quite a while, and then I decided that we needed to exercise these thoughts. I stood up and put a blind fold on her, to help her not see who I was in her mind, as well as to make her have to feel what she was doing and not just see it. Being able to feel what you do gives one a greater understanding of the body, how it works and how it affects the other. I came up behind her and held her in a bear hug and challenged her to get free. She seemed hesitant to try and do anything, so I grabbed her shirt from the bottom and ripped a strip of it off across her stomach, hoping to provoke her to do something. She finally tried to sweep my leg away, but not the best move when someone is holding you. I let myself fall back, still holding her, her wiggling in the process, spinning to face me as I rolled over to be on top. I told her to still try and get out and there she made a mistake that can lead to much hurt, she tried to turn her body to throw me off but turned too far, and I pushed her to her stomach, I on her back, a very dangerous spot to be in. I told her what she had gotten herself into and she tried to wiggle free, my body in more control than the previous position. I told her that everyone had a certain weakness, if you hit the nose it will surly cause tears to well in the eyes, giving a brief chance to push out, that she should try to head but my nose since it was directly behind her head. She quickly thrust her head back, not holding back the least which made me smile a bit, despite the amount of blood that flowed from my nose now. She stood up and looked from under the blindfold at me, and looked concerned as I winked and drew my bow.

We were in snow and my foot steps were easily heard, I wanted her to put the blind fold back on and listen for me, to point at me as soon as I stopped. If she pointed to me I would continue on but if she missed I would send an arrow past her, to shock her. Many times if you feel a sense of fear your body reacts faster and you learn more, that s what I played off. I wanted to force her to concentrate more. Her first attempt she did point at me but I then walked a bit further away and she missed a few times in a row, arrows whizzing past as she missed. She then realized that he own moments were clouding her ears, so she stopped and concentrated, her points hitting me almost constantly. I then tested her ability to discern from sounds, to truly be aware of what was around her. I took a few steps but sat down and threw rocks at increasing distances. She pointed to where the last rock had been and an arrow brushed her hair from a different directions. She realized then that something was going on and listened closer, discerning the sounds, this time pointing to where the rocks were coming from, the sound of my arms throwing giving me away. She was a quick learner, I was impressed. I stood up and ran towards her, wanting to see her reaction. She froze momentarily but then stepped to the side as I jumped and landed where she had just stood. I told her to remove her blind fold and we sat and I talked to her about what had just happened. That it is good that she moved but sometimes it is also good to flee, a smart fighter knows when they are in over their head, but the fact that she did move was positive.

I put down my bow and drew my sword, she needed to learn to dodge better, one of the important parts of fighting, is not getting hit. I wanted to play off the fear again so she was to dodge the slices of my blade. I started slow and increased speed, she dodged sloppily at first, but as time passed she moved more fluidly and gracefully, dodging effortlessly until she stumbled on her own feet. She was in the range of my blade and I had to pull the sword back as far as I could, the very tip catching the cloth that made up her shirt, cutting and tearing a bit of it just below her chest. She was a bit shocked to say the least but I made her continue, if she had stopped it might have gotten to her mind, and I didn’t not want that to happen, so we continued our training.

It was getting dark by then, so after the dodging practice we settled in our tent and ate. As soon as Orchid had fallen asleep I left the tent and walked a bit from it, though I still kept it in sight. I sat down and focused my mind; I wanted to somehow strengthen my fire balls, those that sent one small ball from my hand. I wanted to make it so that it did not just send one from my hand but many at the same time. This would prove to be a difficult feat. I tried for a couple of hours to simply focus enough heat in the form of flames in my hand, to contain enough force to be able to produce what I desired. Many times I tried to have the flames dissipate before it reached the peak, or, instead, not be able to hold the form, the ball shooting fire in many directions, time with enough force to throw me back. It would seem this would take time and it would be hard on my body in the process. I continued to try and finally reached the point where I could manifest enough compressed heat in my hand. The ability to hold the shape at the peak I did not have yet, almost every time the energy maxed, the bal could not sustain its shape and expelled its energy in a quiet wave of fire, that sent me flying many times, sometimes just backwards, other times through the air, hitting into the scenery. Though my body was being beaten I knew in my head to continue or else the progress of the night might have been lost and would have to start over the next night. I continued and struggled to hold the form, the length of time I could hold it growing, yet still far too short. Then came a time of pure amazement, I focused as hard as I could compressing the heat in my hand until the peak of its energy had been reached, my hand shook, but I held it, I stared in amazement, still and always will be confounded as to how this was humanly possible. I threw that ball it landing in front of me a ways. As it hit it looks like one of my normal fireballs until multiple shot out from when it had came in contact with the ground. These balls crashed to the ground, sending fire out in many directions, the area that had originally been struck emitting a strange colored flame. I was able to produce such effect multiple times, the snow on the ground melting. I had accomplished much in that night, it was time to rest a few hours for the next day, and let the falling snow cover the ground again.

I awoke the next morning to the sight of Orchid still fast asleep, it appeared that the previous day had taken a great deal out of her. She did rise shortly after I did, I must have been too loud rustling in the bag we brought to get the food out and ready by the time she awoke. We ate and after a short time of discussion we went to training again. We repeated the exercises of the day before briefly. Repetition is key to ingrain something in the mind, so we went over the dodging, the perception, the striking. After we had gone over that we started on blade work. She had two very large daggers, appearing to be of Arabian origins, yet she did not know how to use them effectively. For a good portion of the morning we went over basic attacking, striking, slashing, and the details far too monotonous. She lacked a few things that were vital to wielding weapons, a good combination of speed, accuracy, and power. I, again not fond of easy drills, presented her with a difficult task. I tied a rope to the end of an arrow, and challenged her to cut it, nothing fancy in the process, just to cut the arrow as it pasted her. She looked almost scared at the thought but I assured her I was not joking and we started the exercise. I shot the arrow many times, her far too slow in her reaction, or slicing at the arrow before it had even gotten close enough. What she needed to do was not cut at where the arrow was but where it was to be, to anticipate its movement. We continued, once reeling in the arrow to find a gouge in it. She was getting better, a few more time and I could tell that he speed was increasing, and the ability to anticipate was getting better. I launched the arrow one more time, I watched as she brought one blade up at it, slicing the arrow in two. I smile as drew another arrow, not bothering to reel in the other, I knew the result at the end and was proud, and confident she could do it again, confident enough to not tie the arrow. She did not let me down as she cut this one as well.

We took a short break, as we had worked a great deal already that day. We talked about how if you wield two blades then you cannot let one lack as to improve the skill of the other, both must be as great. She got up to walk to where we had been working and I followed a few steps before reaching down and grabbing a pile of snow, forming a snow ball. She was to now to practice hitting a moving target that had a path that was not as concrete as an arrow’s. She stopped and I tossed the snowball underhand slowly to her, her blade glancing the top of the ball, so I threw another, this one being hit more squarely. She then made the critical mistake of mocking the teacher. She said, “I can hit these a lot easier now, you don’t throw as fast as your arrows travel.” The snow ball I had in my hand at that time raced through the air and hit her face, snow exploding everywhere. She got the point and readied herself again, me throwing snowballs at a higher speed. She was hitting them cleanly, though at first she seemed to not be fond of the snow showering her after she slashed it. I told her to not be scared of the splatter, it is unavoidable. She shuttered a bit as the thought of blood not snow flowed through her mind, the thought of her slicing someone and blood spraying on her in her mind. She shook it off and readied herself again to slice more of the snowballs, a bit more willing to take the snow that was expelled from each slice. She was doing well but it was time to work on both hands. I picked up snow in both hands and tossed them at her, her slicing one but missing the other horribly. She was focusing on one more than the other, she needed to not see them as two separate targets, but more as one, that had two points to hit. I threw one snow ball telling her to hit it with both her blades. She looked a bit confused but I threw it at her, not giving her time to be. She swung on blade, cutting the ball in two, before slicing through one of the halves that was separating. I informed her that she had made two targets out of one larger one in her mind, that she didn’t see it as two separate attacks, but a continuation of the other. I threw two this time, though they were in close group. She hit them nicely, and began to throw more, at different distances. She was improving at great speed, impressing me greatly. We continued this to the point where I constantly threw balls at her, miss occasionally, but hitting most of them. I then placed my hands under the snow and threw a wall of snow towards here, the targets too high in number; I wanted to test if she had learnt from the day before. She saw it coming, running to the side to avoid it, only catching a bit of it on her shoulder, she was smart, and I was very proud. By then it was starting to grow dark and we had sat down by a fire we made. We had gotten out a bit of food and began to eat when we heard a distinct growl of a wolf. The sound appeared to circle the camp; we both drew our blades, not knowing if it was one or many. There was rustling and we looked as a rather large but thin and mangy wolf stepped out, teeth bared and snarling. It looked hungry as it had not eaten in a great deal of time. I had not finished the food I was eating so I threw it to it, in hopes that it would eat and leave, a mistake. It ate fast but it wanted more, and I was not about to give up any more, as we needed it for the coming days. The wolf inched forward and lounged toward me snapping his jaws, I kicked him aside and he turned to face Orchid. I knew this would not end well, we wanted out food, all of it, and wasn’t to leave without it. It stepped back a bit, Orchid had her blades out, in case blood needed to be drawn by them for the first time, but it was not necessary. The wolf jumped at her, her face ready for it, getting ready to strike as it flew in the air towards her. It never reached her, my sword came down on its back while it was in air, slicing it in two, though she had began a slice of her own, which would have caught the wolf’s neck, but instead caught its ear as it fell at her feet. I breathed a bit hard, blood dripping from my sword, Orchid still in a bit of shock at what had just happened, at the bravery she had shown. We thought about keeping the body in camp, to cook for further sustenance, but as our other food had attracted it, we though it better to place the body far from camp, as to not attract larger animals. We carried the corpse, in two pieces into the woods, leaving it in the open for the forest to eat a meal as well.

That night Orchid could barely sleep, a bit paranoid that another creature might ambush in the night. I held her close until she fell asleep. I laid her down and set to do my own training, this night much closer to the camp, I had some paranoia in my head as well. I thought to improve an ability I had tried against Moriarty, which he had somehow managed to avoid completely. This was a trap of sorts, prior I had been able to set a spot that was triggered by the change of heat, usually someone walking near it. It would send out flames in all directions if it was triggered. Again I sought to compress this even further, to produce a larger result, this time a bit of an explosion. I used what I had learnt the other night to compress the fire traps into a ball that I could hold in my hands. There was one large flaw in this. Though I tried multiple times that night I could not hold the form of this compression for more than a few seconds, though not through lack of trying. The blast created from this sent me flying many times, as I had the night before, hitting against various things in the forest. It would appear that I needed to send these away from me quickly or else its energy would be used against me as well as my adversary. I focused the heat to my hand and sent it sailing away from me with a quick jolt from my hands. It flew for a few second before halting, it appeared that it was absorbing heat from the air around it, it was an amazing sight as the heat was drawn in to only be shot out the next second as it burst, sending fire everywhere, as well as a concussion that traveled a very short distance. I created one once more and was about to send it soaring when I heard a voice say softly “Rip, where are you?” I turned to look at where it had come from to see Orchid peaking out of the tent. I smiled back before it was wiped off my face as I remember the ball of fire behind. I turned around to send it away as quickly as I could, but it was too late, as it sent me flying, landing at the entrance of the tent. I grimaced a bit before saying “I am right here” with a cheesy grin on my face. She had seen the bruises on me the day prior and thought she had done them, she realized then that I had inflicted the harm on myself. “What are you doing Rip?” she asked me as I crawled into the tent lying next to her. I told her that I was training myself, improving my skills, that I needed to improve my skills too. That I was still very inexperienced in fire bending and that I believed it was time that I explored more of it. I remembered people from where I learnt doing amazing things with fire, creating moving beings out of it, massive explosions, whirlwinds of flame, things I could not do in my wildest dreams. However, I did see thing that I thought I might be able to do, and while I was here I wanted to pursue that. I had one more thing I wanted to try, but that would be tomorrow. I joined her and we slept until morning.

When I awoke on Christmas, I looked to my side and Orchid was not there. I looked out the tent and saw here with daggers in hand, prating strikes, kicking using the blades as an extension of her arms. I just sat there watching, it appeared she not only learnt fast, but she might just be natural at using that weapon. It was quite beautiful to watch, he feet sending snow into the air as she moved and kicked, the sky clear and the sunrise casting a brilliant glow upon the sky, making the snow she sent soar glimmer in the light. Her body a silhouette against the sky, a long shadow cast upon the white snow, which had stopped falling for the time.

I got up slowly, my body sore from being thrown about the past two nights. I again readied our food and we ate before we began the morning practice. We again did the exercises from the past two days, her precision and abilities increasing rapidly. Our training took us to afternoon, when we rested and I reminded her of something she had told me the first day we were there, that by the time we left she wanted to land a hit on me, during a fight that my speed was not help back. That afternoon was set aside for her to practice her moves, to block what I threw, to attack as I defended, to feel what it is like to have your blade blocked, as well as how to block a blade. Occasionally a grimace would cross my face as she struck me in a spot where I had been hurt by being thrown from a blast. This continued into the early evening, constant sparing, breaks intermittent, to grind into her head everything she had been learning. It grew dark; she asked if I was going to work on my training now. My response was simple, no. The thing I wanted to try was something that I had been on for a good while, and was getting close to actually doing. I needed the heat from around me to do what I was trying, and the best time for that was when the sun was up. She decided that it was time she challenged me to a fight then, so I could focus on what I needed tomorrow. I agreed and we laid down our weapons and put our guards up.

Fists and feet flew everywhere, she was trying her best to hit me but my blocks we a bit too quick. My strength was being withheld but my speed was not. If I threw a kick, it was meant to hit, as were hers. Though she was being hit she did not give up, she even got better. Her blocks began to time better and he strikes were becoming more irregular and harder to predict, she had learnt a great deal the past 3 days and it showed. We exchanged strikes and more and more of my attacks were being blocked. I had blocked her kick and threw her leg to the side, she spun around and the back of her fist slammed into the side of my face. I had never been more proud to be hit before. I smiled back at her, she in a bit of shock, with redness on the side of my face I told her to do it again. She now had the confidence that she could do it and it was not long before I felt her fist pressing into my stomach. A weird feeling when you derive such happiness from being struck. We continued to fight for a while more, until we were both quite tired and we retired for the night.

I awoke on Christmas morning determined to finally accomplish what I had been trying so hard to do. I wanted to compress the heat around me into a ball, and send it flying at my enemy. This was greatly different from anything that I had been doing. Instead of generating the heat myself I was to manipulate what was already in nature. I would never have dreamed of this if I had not seen my teacher show it to me right before I left. It was his last lesson for me, and I was determined to finish it. With Orchid still asleep and the sun rising I sought to find the heat. I stood where I had seen her practicing so elegantly the day before and focused my mind above me, trying to feel the heat, to bend it to my will. I finally felt it and began trying to form it. I had already been able to move it, now I was trying to press it together. I looked up as I did it; occasionally a red light appeared in the sky only to disappear after its brief appearance. I closed my eyes, and breathed deep again, focusing above me, my eyes closed yet still seeing above me. As this was happening Orchid began to stir and watch, she said nothing as she knew I was concentrating immensely. I could feel it, the heat compressing a distance above my head; I dared not open my eyes yet to see anything. I knew I was doing it, my eyes opened slowly as I looked up, a bright red ball formed in the sky, Orchid saw it too, silent in amazement. I raised my hand up to the sky towards the balls and quickly pulled my hand down my body, the ball following the motion of my hand to the ground, it streaking down with a bright red tail, exploding upon hitting the ground, fire spewing everywhere. I sighed deeply and fell to my knees; it had taken a great deal of my energy to attempt that that morning, as my energy had already been low from the nights prior, as well as the days. I walked back to the tent and laid down next to Orchid. I told her that after training your body isn’t fully well, it needs time to rest to get its energy back. We would rest that day, Christmas, and make our way home the next morning. We sat there in the tent, both a bruised and tattered mess, but we were both better for it. We spent that Christmas together, her first Christmas not alone in 2 years, and mine in 6. We enjoyed the mountain scenery, the clean air, as well as each other’s company. Clouds began to roll in and snow began to fall again. The scene was surreal; I could not have wanted it any other way. I was with my fiancé, camping in the beautiful forest as snow fell around us.

The next morning we packed up and made our way home, to return to New Babbage, a bit torn but better for it. It will only be a matter of time to know if our training paid off, at least if it doesn’t, we will know it wasn’t from a lack of trying.

Moriarty Attacks

This morning seemed like a normal day. Woke up and laid on the sofa with my dear, just idly chatting. This would all change in a hurry. We were relaxing unarmed, as who would be armed in their own home, when the noise of our front door opening startled us. I looked to the door and no one was there until a black hole formed on the ground before myself and Orchid. Slowly out of it crept a face that I had only seen once previously but would recognize anywhere, Jason Moriarty. Immediately he said “I know they have sent you to stop me.” At this point lightening began to radiate from him, as I encircled Orchid and I in a shield of fire to keep us safe. It seemed that he had some how found out that Orchid had talked with the Van Creed, and thought that I was associated with them as well. He said that he could not have us getting in the way and that he had power, and soon more. That tomorrow would be the final day for us all.

At this point Moriarty shot a bolt at us, possibly just at one, which I managed to block, still baffles me that a shield of fire is able to block a bolt of electricity. Talk then went to his power that the gods had given him, that he used to be like us but not different from them. At that he attacked us again, only able to block a part of the attack we were hit lightly, though the blue glow still enveloped us. At this point I knew I couldn’t just defend anymore, and I closed my eyes concentrating, a ball of fire forming of Moriarty’s head, which soon after rained fire down upon him. This caused him to retreat a bit, and the blue glow to subside from us. We stood there a brief exchange of words occurred on him not expecting me to have such powers, ending in him saying “I expected you to die like all simple human beings, they cut and bleed so easy.” I began to speak as he struck me with a bolt that I was too slow to block, causing me to drop to my knee, barley able to move, Orchid how ever was not struck, it was meant only for me. I struggled to move, with little success. Before I could move again he sent a bolt straight at us, hitting me a bit and Orchid even more, causing her to fall to her knees.

I struggled to move still, as Moriarty, Orchid and I exchanged words about the Van Creed. I began to be able to move again, and started to form a ball of fire in my hand to throw at him, still to weak to fully move I could not throw it at the present, this ball would in fact both our lives though. Moriarty got tired of the exchange and decided to leave, but not with out one more attack. He pulled back, pulling electricity and set it at us in the form of a massive explosion, I using the ball to create a shield that was futile, only weakening the original concussion, which saved our lives. Few more blasts occurred side out the house as he walked away, sending bolts of lightening in the air, smoke enveloping the air as he jumped and fell into a cloud of red, disappearing. As a result of the explosions Orchid was thrown, hitting her arm on the table, as well as being burnt from the shocks earlier. I was also sent flying from the blast, ribs taking the force of the concussion that broke through, weakened from using a great deal of energy to block his attacks, hitting my head on the floor, resulting in my unconsciousness. If it had not been for Viv coming to say hello that morning we might still be there on the floor. We would soon come to find out that Jed had also been attacked, but she had been hit by surprise and had the intelligence to hide in a snow drift after being attacked to prevent further attacks on her.

The Myrtil Igaly Incident

As I have promised some I will recount the recent happenings with Miss Myrtil Igaly. ((I have read Miss Myrtil’s blog and it is well done, almost did not write this but I keep my promises)). I will start my account with when path first crossed with Arthur Keenan’s, in an indirect way, and proceed to the more current events, filling in holes with stories that I have heard from others. I will not speak of the family troubles, for one that I am not inclined to divulge intimate secrets of another’s family, and two that I do not know the details fully.

Our path’s first crossed one afternoon a few weeks ago while I was visiting Miss Beq Janus in her underwater dwelling. We were speaking and heard someone rushing up the stairs. I looked over to see Miss Orchid McMillan on the stairs covered in blood. She informed us, after taking a seat, that she had just saved a man’s life, a man she believed to be Myrtil’s cousin, Arthur Keenan. Apparently he had been shot twice in an altercation and was bleeding badly, not to mention he had had his head smashed into the pavement. According to her she was walking to the bakery and came across two urchins ((I say their names, but remember the OOC knowledge only of this blog)), Patch and Monte, Patch with a gun and Monte in his lycan state. Soon after she had spotted them Patch opened fire upon Keenan for the apparent second time, striking his knee, before Monte bashed Arthur’s head to the pavement. Orchid had no clue what had happened but she was spotted and trust against the wall by Monte and pinned, threatened that she was to tell no one. The next part of this tale led to an important discovery later. Arthur was badly hurt and Orchid took him inside the bakery. He then led her through two secret passages, arriving in a secret room when she performed surgery to the wounds. One thing she noted was an immense anger that he possessed, one that caused him to yell at Orchid, and at the same time peek my interest in him. It seemed that just after Orchid had finished her story Patch came rushing in. We were all on edge, as him and his associate had just threatened dear Orchid, but he pleaded with Beq to say his side. He sat and started his tale, a bit after Orchid had given her a piece of her mind, ((note, don’t make her mad, trust me)). In his version, Monte and he were sitting on the wall outside the bakery when Arthur arrived and he told them they could not sit there. Patch and Monte told him he did not own the wall, though he did, and they began arguing. Arthur then went inside and brought out a gun and shot at then, hitting Patch in the hand. At this time Monte turned beastly out of anger, and Patch grew his gun, firing, and hitting Arthur in the elbow. At this Monte leaped on Arthur and took away the gun, only to be thrown off moments later. The rest was seen by Orchid. The next few minutes do not pertain to the story so they are stricken from this account, except for that an item that was taken from Patch, the gun they took from Arthur. After discussion it was agreed that we would hide Patch and Monte in an undisclosed location. We got patch to go there, and on our way up from the tunnels we spotted Monte who tried to apologize to Orchid for his actions. At this time she was not in the mood to talk and he was sent to the same place as Patch. One other think was known, Arthur wanted Orchid to go to the police with him, and after this meeting she knew in her own mind that she could not.

That night I snuck out of bed, not disturbing Orchid since she had a hard day, and decided that I needed to do some snooping. I went to the bakery and the front door was looked, luckily the back door, however, was not. I walked in and immediately searched for the two hidden passageways. The first was easy to find, the second not so much, but I was able to in the end. The room appeared that of scientific means and nothing seem suspicious except for one thing, something I found on the table, a letter. Arthur had written his mother and the content of it was disturbing. This letter read :

Dear Mother,
We have never been that close to reach our aim. She doesn’t suspect anything. Nobody suspects anything. I can’t wait any longer. Each time I look at her I see HIM and I feel this red anger filling me in slowly. His blood runs in her veins and it’s as if father’s blood was staining her hands… I am almost ready, Mother. Just wait a few weeks more and your revenge will be complete.
Love,
Your Art.

Upon reading this letter I rushed back home with a dilemma of what to do. If I brought about this to the public then it would fuel his anger and possibly strike sooner, or to wait and plan, and possibly be too late. Both of which are incredibly risky, it was a move I had to rest on.

The next morning I told Orchid of what I have seen, we decided we needed to discuss the letter with another person, and she told me that she could not go to the police with him. She had to tell him that, but she feared his anger, so I told her I would accompany her when ever she did plan on meeting him to tell him. We went with Beq later that day to release the two, but we had to first come with an arrangement. We can to the conclusion that if they wanted to walk the streets again they had to give up their firearm and pledge to stay away from the bakery until all could be resolved. We talked with them and eventually they agreed to the terms.

It was a few days before contact with Arthur could be established but there was some made and they had agreed to meet at the bakery. In the mean time Patch and Monte stayed with Beq, constantly causing her grief. We had to play stupid to Arthur in order to make him think that we were on his side, and most important that we didn’t know he planned to harm Myrtil. We were there and Arthur told us his story. He told us that they had stolen pies while he was upstairs and he went outside to make them pay for them but they wouldn’t, and then they shot him, him completely denying shooting them, or even to owning a gun until after the encounter. Orchid told him that she would not accompany him to Bow Street and this did anger him, but he contained it and asked that we at least escort him there, since he did not feel safe on the streets. We went outside to see Miss Beq Janus walking up, and Patch and Monte standing there. Apparently they had been spying and heard everything said, yet failed to realize that we were playing stupid, and that even though he was going to report them we would fight tooth and nail to not let them get convicted. They began yelling that we were, well use your imagination, and that we were going to turn in and that. The argument escalated between Beq, Orchid, and the two, Arthur and myself remaining mostly silent. It ended in Beq almost storming off, Patch and Monte storming off, and Orchid in tears. Arthur, still weak from his injures, needed to go back and sit down for a while. Beq escorted him back inside while I calmed Orchid down outside. She needed to rest for a bit so she went back to the apartment while I went back to the bakery with Beq. Arthur told his story again where Beq caught him in a lie, well two actually. First being that they had stolen pies. Apparently Beq had arranged a payment with Myrtil to recoup the funds that were lost by the boys taking pies. So they did not steal them at all. Second was the gun. For what ever lucky reason she had brought the gun the boys had taken from him, and she produced it when he said he had not owned a gun, threatening to get it printed. We later walked with him to Bow Street where we found it empty. The conversation became more harm here. With Beq and I defending the boys, as well as she saying she would defend them in a court of law, and Arthur playing the victim. The discussion ended with Beq threatening to get the gun printed, Arthur apparently figuring out a new plan, and me almost losing my temper. He walked back to the bakery and I took Beq aside, figuring it was time to get her take on the letter and what we could do. She agreed we needed to wait on the letter, as it might be used to incriminate him if it went to trial.

Time past and Beq got a letter from Arthur saying that he wished to met with her, that he had a deal to make. A time and day was arranged and the two met, Orchid accompanying her later in the meeting as she was passing the bakery. My account on this part is not as informed as I wish it to be but it will have to do. They discussed the bargain that I will explain in a bit. Apparently the bakery became busy just after they got there, a man paying with a gold coin, and it being busy in general. Arthur wanted to check the content of the coin and had the two follow him into the secret room on the third floor, hiding their eyes so they could not see where they were headed. From what I understand Beq spotted something on a table and Orchid distracted him to discuss the coin as Beq went to examine it. Turned out to be a letter from his mother and Beq swipped it. They came back down , the bakery still full and came outside as I was passing by. Beq said she needed to talk to us and we headed to the cog. She informed us that the deal was that if Patch and Monte stayed away from him and Myrtil that he would not report them. Also he told her that he did not feel save in New Babbage anymore and was going to sell the bakery and leave as soon as it was sold, taking Myrtil with him. We knew he meant kill her so we sat there and tried to formulate a plan. Everyone we devised ended horribly except one that I came up with, to at least by us time. Miss Beq is a journeyer, so why not take Myrtil on a “journey” to get her out of town for a while, while we were able to bring attention of the public to his real intentions. We agreed to this plan and the next time we saw Myrtil we would tell her to please see Beq. As well Beq showed us the letter. It was in French, so luckily Beq had knowledge of the language. This letter read:

My dear son,
I beg you to be careful. I have already lost a husband, I don't want anymore drama in this family. You're telling me that there are complicating matters, that certain persons too curious stepped in. You can't risk your freedom or your life. Act now for our good and the memory of your father. Disappear both, make her sign it, get rid of her and come back. I'm waiting for you.
Catherine.

Time went by and we did not see Myrtil, we thought perhaps she was just busy and not about. Beq sent her a letter telling her that she was going to leave and needed supplies as soon as possible and to respond with the time they would meet. Beq had negotiated to have a vessel meet her when Myrtil came, and she would effectively “kidnap” her to keep her out of harms way. Beq went to Mr. Holmes the night before the whole fiasco that the public knows about. She told him of our plan and he said it sounded like it might help and that he would help me with what I needed. She was to be gone with Myritl and Orchid had to leave on a trip for a few day, which she had left a day prior. While she was there a Professor arrived, telling that he had known Myrtil and her family before the accident. I do not know much of this, only that he knew of the anger in that family. That night on my way home form Ruby’s I spoted a note upon the door of Bow Street. This letter read:

To Mayor Sprocket and Whom It May Concern,

Young Mistress Myrtil Igaly lies drugged and near death in a trunk on the third floor (second story) of her bakery. You will also notice the presence of some quantity of blood on the floors. The discovery of her body was made this very evening. Please remove her to hospital at once. I have asked Young Master James Branagh to stand guard until the police arrive, so if he is found at the scene, please do not harass him in any way, as he is surely blameless in this atrocity. An investigation into these affairs must be instigated at once. Please do note that her body has been hidden behind a sliding bookcase, by which one may gain entrance to the room.

Your Servants,
Prof. Nareth E. Nishi and Miss Elenore Darwin
Abney Park Laboratory
Apparently we were too late with our plan and the next morning it was time to move into action. Before I went home however, I needed time to think, so I sat near the town hall and watched the sunset, when I was approached by Professor Nareth Nishi. I asked her if it was true, and she affirmed me it was. Many times we think we when we should act she told me. Those words were more true that day then ever.

The next morning I took up my sword and rushed to Mr. Holmes and Dr. Watson’s home. We decided we needed to act at the present, for waiting anymore could be costly. We rushed across the street only to find a group gathering, apparently news had traveled fast. The three of us rushed inside and preceded through the secret doors I had found before. We saw blood smears about the bakery and began to get even more worried. We finally got to the secret room on the third floor and looked about but did not find anything until we spotted a trunk against the wall. When opened we discovered it contained Myrtil, alive, but unconscious, drugged. Her leg was bleeding so Mr. Holmes rushed back to get bandaged for her as the four people outside came up, Mr. Tenk, Ms. Breezy, Miss Jed, and Master Poopdeck. It was established that we could move her safely, so we promptly moved her to the Whitfield clinic, since Watson’s was too close. When we arrived Myrtil was placed on the table and the wound was dressed properly. Mr. Tenk stood guard on the roof, and I stood at the door. Two people did come however, Ms. Beq and Master Jimmy. They went to the table and began talking to the unconscious child in hopes that familiar voice would wake her. Eventually she did begin to stir and became coherent. We established that it was indeed Arthur who did it. He tried to force her to sign something about her inheritance and would kill her if she didn’t. She knew he would anyway and fought back, injuring her knee in the process. The then was drugged with a soaked cloth and put into the chest. Myrtil needed rest so we needed to take her somewhere else. It was agree my apartment was the best, loud steps outside to hear someone coming, only one major entry way, and it was not at ground level. We took her there and laid her on the bed, where she soon fell asleep. Beq and I went to go get clothes for Myrtil to change in, leaving Jed and Jimmy on first guard duty. We got her clothes from the bakery and we heading home before we stopped at the absinthe bar quickly. While there we were promptly joined by Professor Nishi and Miss Elenore, the one who had found her. Loki would arrive soon as well, all of which wished to see Myrtil. We went back to the apartment and told them of what had happened. Loki got very upset to the point that it woke up Myrtil. She came out of the bedroom and greeted everyone and multiple topics were discussed. The last of them being a bomb, one that was thought to have been seen at Loki’s bar. The professor left to go look at it, everyone else soon following, Myrtil trying to go with them. Jimmy and I stopped her and convinced her she couldn’t and I took her upstairs. She went back to sleep as I guarded her.

A few minutes later I heard steps on the stairs, but when I looked out the window, no one was there. Then I heard foot steps upstairs, but I knew the neighbors were not home. The door sounded like it was trying to be moved and there were more steps on the stairs. As soon as there was silence it was again broken by a rock sailing in though the window, shattering it, and masked man entering. I drew my blade as he asked where she was and I responded with the question of who are you. His eyes wondered about and he asked again, as did I, standing between him and the bedroom. He put his hand on his gun as I asked a third time, drawing it and firing at me, hitting my right shoulder, causing me to drop my weapon. As I dropped to one knee holding my wound he jumped out the window. After a few minutes Myrtil came out of the room, she had be woken by the glass and hid under the bed, too scared to come out. She applied pressure to my wound until help hopefully came. Eventually a knock on the door came and Myrtil opened it to find Master Finely Twine, sent by Jimmy to come and get me. Apparently Arthur had been shot and killed. Myrtil stayed as I went to the scene, hand holding my bleeding shoulder. I got there to find many people surrounding the body of the man who had just shot me. I do not remember the faces there, so please forgive me if you were, I will only name the few who are pertinent to the story. Jimmy told me that Arthur had ran into Finley and threatened to shoot him if he didn’t tell him where Myrtil was. Jimmy came upon this scene to have the gun turn from Finely to himself. An argument ensued and Mr. TriloByte Zanzibar happened to pass by and hear the commotion. The gun was then pointed at him and Jimmy took this as an opening, shooting Arthur, dropping him, saving those around as well as the many people who could have been hurt if they had just arrived a few moment prior. Mrs. Whitfield as well as many others were concerned with my wound and after hearing the story I agreed to have it looked it. We returned to the Whitfield clinic, where I had been once already. I was accompanied by Jimmy, Finely, Mrs. Whitfield, and Ms. Kembri Tomsen. There Mrs. Whitfield took the bullet out, cleaned the wound and stitched it up. We all went to Ruby’s after, Jimmy, Finley, and I in a severe need of a drink. I bid my farewells to all and went home to find Myrtil asleep again, and now safe. I went back to the living room, blood still on the floor from earlier and laid upon the couch and fell asleep myself, pain in my shoulder, but glad that Myrtil was now safe.

I hope this proves helpful for those curious on the subject. If any bits of it are lacking forgive me, fore I was not present for all the occurrences.

The Lucas Incident

As promised I will recount the events that have taken place around Lucas. By no means will this be the most formally written account but I do hope that it provides insight to those who seek it.
The entire escapade began when I was first told by Mr. Jyskel Radek that a ghost had appeared at the old Imperial. He brought me to the entity and we proceeded to ask questions. That first day we were able to determine his name, what he was looking for and the description of it, which was a blue bear with gold buttons named Spud. Jyskel and I searched about the theater but we had no such luck. Periodically I returned to the ghost named Lucas in order to try to attain more information about possibly where he had lost it. No such luck, only thing knew that came from him was the identity of his murderer, Moriarty.
Until recently I had almost given up hope of ever finding Spud. One day however I was visiting the new school house and a young man named Victor Wunderlich. Mr. Vendetta Welles and I spotted the bear and new immediately that it was the said bear. To the best of my abilities I tried to implore Victor to go into the theater with me to try and show Lucas the bear, I did not want to take the boy’s bear, which would be cruel. Despite my best efforts that day Victor ran away, he is scared of ghosts. One thing did come out of that day, I knew that Spud existed and who had him.
My next meeting with Victor would prove to be more fruitful. I was a bit more subtle with the topic and danced around it a bit. Eventually I proposed that we perform a trade, a new bear for the old one. Victor did indeed like the idea and even beat me to the store which sold bears. At this time I was not alone however. Mr. Roman Branderburg, Mr. Poopdeck Halfpint, and Ms. Orchid McMillan were all in my company. A trade was performed and I now possed the bear known as Spud.
Next came a difficult decision. Was I to hold on to the bear in secrecy or immediately take it to Lucas? Ms. Orchid and I contemplated what to do and came to the decision to hold onto the bear incase two things were to come about. One would be that in giving the bear we might unleash something sinister onto New Babbage, or, possibly, use it as a kind of lure if need be. So if I did not tell anyone of this part of the escapade prior please forgive me.
Yesterday, Halloween, or Samhain, I was walking about New Babbage and I heard a man shout in a very sinister voice. It was to the tune of something like as you grow weaker I grow stronger. I believed the yelling had come from the Theater so I headed over there where Mr. Welles was. As soon as I could ask what the shouting was about I heard Orchid Scream. Luckily I had brought Betty with me, if you have seen her you know what I mean. I unsheathed her and rushed inside will Mr. Welles. It was cold about and I immediately saw Orchid frozen in a ball of ice. I dared not attack the ball in fear of harming her, so instead I walked a few steps into the Imperial Theater itself and saw a man there hovering over Lucas. He was very thin, green buggy eyes, green hair, and carried a large book. This man is known as Angry Jenkins and he said that he had come for Lucas’s soul. About this time the ice around Orchid melted and she rushed into the seating area where Welles and I were. He then informed us that he was still weak, as to why the ice had worn off so quickly. For such a weak man his power of ice was still powerful. We got from him that he had been banished last year from New Babbage by Mr. Skusting Dagger. About this time we lost sight of him. But it was not for long as Welles said that he was coming back. This time he came in and shot more ice at us, this time Welles and I. I managed to dodge the shots but Welles was not so lucky. This time I was impatient with the ice. I shot fire at the ball surrounding Welles but to no avail. As it had with Orchid the ice wore off and Jenkins flew above us taunting. He then caught me off guard and I was frozen. At this point I furiously tried to escape the confines, and again to no avail. Eventually it did wear off, and despite being a bit cold, I was alright, but Jenkins was nowhere in to sight. We took this as our cue to leave.
We stuck together and informed Mr. Dagger that Jenkins had returned, which put him on guard. We went to Ruby’s for a while to calm down a bit after what happened. Mr. Welles though felt the urge to go back to the Imperial and see if he could get any more information from Lucas. When he got there he found Jenkins had returned. Jenkins now asked questions of Lucas. He got Lucas to recount his own death, something so heart wrenching that I do not wish to repeat it here. Perhaps ask Mr. Welles or Mr. Dagger what was said because they are too atrocious to repeat. We then informed Mr. Dagger of his current location, who in turn informed Ms. Breezy Carver. Orchid and I left in the new company of Jimmy Branagh and arrived as they did. The theater was still cold; we could see our own breath. This time however Jenkins was a bit different in his actions. He seemed more rushed, though he kept saying he had plenty of time, and he also seemed on edge, perhaps at the appearance of Mr. Dagger. Upon talking to Jenkins, Mr. Dagger was hit and frozen temporarily. Comments were made and Jimmy laughed at Jenkins, which then in turn caused him to be frozen. Mr. Welles was the nexxt victim, causing his steam systems to to freeze over ((had to go irl)). Mr. Dagger then questioned Lucas about the bear and talk then turned from Jenkins to the bear. Mr. Dagger asked who had the bear and where it was last seen. The end result was Dagger asking me if I had indeed acquired the bear from Victor. Seems someone had told him that I acquired the bear that week. I knew that I had to get over my fear of something bad happening because if I didn’t then something worse could. Before I could move though it got extremely cold and I was frozen again. I guess Jenkins wanted the bear, but he didn’t realize that you cannot grab through ice. As I unfroze I headed down to the stage and tried to present the bear to Lucas but to no avail. Jenkins asked repeatedly in a very hurried tone “What are you doing?” I then gave the bear to Jimmy in hopes that an Urchin could better talk to Lucas. This theory worked and Lucas responded to the bear by asking us to read a letter to him. Jimmy found the letter in the bear’s pocket and read it. This is what it said. “My dear son, please understand that I could not take care of you and had to leave you in the care of the orphanage. I hope you have a long and full life. Keep Spud close, and he will Guide you through the bad times. I love you always. Your mother.” At first it appeared that it was not working so we kept reading it multiple times but them we realized that Jenkins was gone. As we then talked how we could approach it differently I looked over and realized that Lucas was gone. It would seem that reading it worked. We stayed a while to make sure that Jenkins did not return, but he did not. All I know is that now an innocent soul has been put to rest and another mad man could now be running around the streets of New Babbage.

Back story

For those who are curious this is my extended back story, some details will be left out, only some that I think that need to be in there are prevalent.

I was born into a small family, mother, father, and older brother, into a small village in a remote area in the countryside. The village, which I called home, was famous around the area for making terrific weaponry, my father being one of those famous in his craft. He was a Blacksmith you see, specialized in the forging of great and lavish swords. My brother was his apprentice, being about ten years older than I was, and at the time was growing from the knowledge bestowed upon him by my father. I remember going into his shop sometimes, just listening to him teach him, hoping to learn now and one day be able to take up the trade as well. Our village, nor my family, was not rich for their well crafted weapons, yet we were not poor either. What we did have was closeness; everyone knew each other well and was willing to help anyone. It was a happy time, we did not live in lavishness, but I was content. This however was to change in my fourteenth year.

I still remember that day that it all changed. The weather was befitting of the coming occurrence. The day was a bit cold, mist laid about the ground and there was a grey cloud cover. The mist prevented seeing at great distance, but this weather was common this time of year in my village. I was out back of my home when I heard a woman running into town yelling something to the degree that soldiers were coming from a country that ours was not in good terms with. Before she could yell it again though she let out a different sound, one of agony and she then was silent. I peered around the walls of my home towards the path that led through the center of the village and saw nothing out of the ordinary except for people scattering, women running with children and men running pick up arms, some women in fact joining them. Everything was silent except for the silent chatter among those standing in anticipation. Then I heard it, the sound of horses galloping, and as the sound hit my ear soldiers exploded out of the fog, weapons drawn and charging the village. I was too young to realize it but my village was a threat due to its weapons that were produced. Our village took its stand dropping many soldiers from their mounts but their efforts were futile, they were outnumbered significantly. All fought valiantly but it was of no avail, the soldiers had lit ablaze the structures, forcing all out. By the time the villagers, as well as my family, had come to the center of town, fleeing the fire most of our village’s defenders had fallen. I still hid out back of my home, hoping, praying not to be seen, and yet still keeping a visual on the occurrences in the village. What happened next is something that I will never be able to forget, and is hard to recount but for the sake of it, I will. The soldiers dismounted their steeds and began mercilessly murdering all. My mother, my father, and my brother, all cut down. It was an unbearable sight to see but I had to keep my composure to stay quiet in hope that I would be seen. Those sounds I heard on that day though, they will haunt me for the rest of my days. After all were dead they began raiding the village, taking all weapons that they could get their hands on. I was about to flee into the surrounding forest until I looked to my left and saw a villager, another blacksmith’s son in age comparable to my brother, limping towards the trees. I rushed to him and we both hid in the forest until the soldiers had left. What caught my eye was that he was wielding my father’s final creation, his masterpiece of sorts. We remained quiet, and in time the soldiers left.

We left without going to the fallen, our village destroyed, we could not bear seeing our friends, our family in ruin. We walked along the trail to where we thought we knew was the closest habitation, moving very slowly since he had been badly injured. That night we set to sleep under the trees, hoping someone would find us, yet at the same time horrified at the concept of who would find us. When we awoke the next morning he could barely move. He presented me with my father’s sword, saying that he did not have the strength to move on. I did not want to believe him but as I took the blade he took his last breath. So, now alone, I carried on the way, no in possession of my father’s final creation, too large for one of my height at the time to wield. This is the very sword that I don at times at the present. I walked, only staring at my feet, not wanting to look up for fear that my eyes would lock upon those of one who killed all that I have ever known. I reached a clearing and looked up, in hopes that I would find a village to help me. In fact there was a village there but to my dismay, it was abandoned. At this sight, I collapsed on the dirt, too exhausted from torment over the past two days.

When I awoke I was in a strange place, surrounded by faces that I was not familiar with, yet I knew that I had been saved. I sat up, and conversed with those around me. They asked what happened, I asked where I was. I was unable to speak of it at the time, only getting out soldiers, family, dead, and all I got as an answer was safe. I was taken in by this kind village and helped by them through hard times. I f it had not been for them I would not be alive today. After staying in the village for a few weeks I was taken in as one of their own and informed that I was now to learn the ways of their people. At first I was confused until I met the one who was to be my teacher, who explained that this village was comprised of those who could manipulate fire, fire benders. I learnt under him, taking great time to comprehend the teaching, I was told that it is learnt from an earlier age and that learning it later was vastly harder. I picked up some techniques, but nothing to the degree that other around me could perform, it was brilliant to watch.

About two years after I arrived at the village got word that the country’s forces were being decimated and all volunteers would be accepted. Once I had gotten wind of this I knew I what I must do, not in vengeance but in order to save my country. I bid a sad farewell to the village, which I had come to call my family, and made the journey to where all were to gather. Upon arrival I befriended a two men, one of age 18 other of 20. The 18 year old was a skilled archer and carried his very detailed bow with him, and the other carried two axes with him. We learnt that day that we were to lay siege to the opposing forces in hopes to repel them enough for our country to have reinforcements come, in other words we were to sacrifice ourselves to save our country. It is amazing sometimes how strong the loyalty towards one home can be, no one left after they informed of it. So that night we prepared and set out. We arrived at the enemy camp in the morning, in hopes to surprise them and attack with shock, but somehow they knew we were coming. Myself, now of adequate height to wield my father’s blade, as well as my two new friends stood strong with the rest of the volunteers. They charged at us, but instead of hiding, this time I partook in a counter charge. Both sides hit each other with great viciousness. Blood rained in the air as bodies fell. The sounds of those around me were horrible but everyone fought on, hoping that the sounds they heard were not being uttered by themselves. I almost met my end that day. I had stepped back and tripped over the corpse of a fallen warrior when a soldier came charging at me. If it had not been for my friend seeing this sight I would be dead, as I looked up at the soldier I saw an arrow puncture his throat as he fell to the ground gasping for air. This deed was not unreturned however, as later I spotted him facing an enemy I recognized, he was the one who killed my father, a face that I will never forget. My friend had also somehow been laid out on the ground and was about to be killed until I rushed in. I am not proud of what I did next but by bitterness towards this man boiled over. I eyes burned with fire as my hands headed up. The next thing I knew I had a ball of fire in my hand which I hurled at him from a distance. He burst into flames as I continued to rush towards him. As soon as I got to him, well let us just say that the blades on the top of the sword are not just for decoration, his guts laid about the floor after a momentary clash, and then the next moment his head joined his entrails. That day was the first time I had ever inflicted harm, let alone kill a person, I scared m that I was capable of that, and from that day forward I tried to find my way out of fights, I knew what they could result in and I did not want to see that again. This was hard how ever since the siege was a success and they had us enter into other battles as well. I will only explain one more of these battles, my last one, as it has significance to me.

As I had gone through battles I had better learned how to use my control over fire, my fire balls were prevalent in battles, and my two companions and I were gaining a name as the terrible trio. On this day however I learnt a great deal of more about my ability over fire, one of which I wish I never had to learn. My friend with the axes and I were plowing through the enemy soldiers while our archer was behind picking people off. I looked up from one of my victims to see a soldier with a weapon that I had only seen rarely before, he was wielding a gun. Just as my gaze fixed upon him he fired, but not at me, he hit our archer, my friend. As soon as I saw this I looked back at him only to see that he was attempting to reload. Anger filled me as I looked at him and suddenly above his head a ball of fire formed. This ball opened up and a rained of fire upon him, sending him running mad into a few of his comrades, causing them to burst into flames. I then turned and ran back to my friend. He was badly hurt and I knew he would not make it. My other friend saw me kneeling over him and he rushed over as well. As he was next to him he told us both that it was an honor to have met and fought alongside us. He handed my friend his hatchet, and I his bow, the very one that I adorn at times. His last words I still remember clearly, “give em hell, they have it coming.” For that battle we both knew we were fighting for three not just us so we let all fury fly that day. Once the battle was over it was clear that our side had been the victor. My friend and I were able to bury his body after the battle, in doing so I felt as if I was burying my entire family. We would later hear that both sides had come to a treaty and the fighting was to stop. He and I talked and we realized that the country we were fighting for was not the same country as it was when we started. We had nothing left there and on that day we decided that it was time to leave. So, at age 16, we parted ways as we both had different hopes and aspirations and I began my time as a wanderer.

Over the next 6 years I wandered from city to city, country to country trying, living in the same cloths, the one I worn during my time in battles, trying to find a place where I belonged. The first thing I noticed as I wandered through new countries was how much more advanced there were then the one of which I came from. I had to learn fast the new ways. The ways of steam, of gun powder, of industry. Life on the streets is not an easy one. Never knowing when or if you will have your next meal, always wondering if you will be safe during the night, as well as getting into scuffles with drunks who would wander by, not really able to talk your way out of a fight when they are already set on fighting you. Aside from those random brawls I avoided fighting as much as I could; it would just seem that trouble would always follow me where I went. I remember once sleeping in a park and waking up at to hear the voice of a woman crying for help. I looked up to see her being pursued by two men. I am one to avoid fights but I am also not one to let harm come to someone who is in trouble. The lady was able to escape and I was fine, aside from a few bruises. The two assailants on the hand were left in a bloody mess, and in fear of repercussion I left the town. I had to leave many cities that looked promising for this reason; you see many horrible things on the streets you sleep on at night. One day I wised up and realized I could turn my knowledge of fire into a talent. So I put together a simple act and performed it on the corners of streets in the cities I wandered around. With the tips that I accumulated I was able to afford places to stay the night, possibly in hopes to avoid seeing the things on the street, in hopes that I could avoid trouble. I never really could figure out why they tipped me though, was it the act or that the cloths I had worn were becoming very tattered and ripped, may shirt had almost all been shredded. One night when I could not afford to rent a room it was bitter cold and I was able to keep my body warm by a blanket I found yet my face was frozen. I took the remains of my shirt that night and formed a type of mask in hopes that it would keep my face shielded from the cold. Times were getting tough and my street performances were making me enough to get by but I did not have any luck with the towns I went to. Either it just did not feel right or something would happen that would force me to leave, whether that was defending myself or someone, or being expelled for my appearance, not the best to go around in tattered clothes with a large sword and bow strapped to your back. I finally stumbled upon the town of New Babbage and new that this town could finally be the right fit I had been looking for. So I took some of the last of my money that I had made while performing and bought some appropriate clothes and set up a small camp outside the walls of town. So at night if you see me about the roofs, in attire that is old and tattered, adroning a large sword and bow, do not fear, I am only looking to keep the streets safe. Hopefully this town will be the home I have been looking for, and I will protect it with my life if I need to.